The Asheville citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1885-1889, 1887-11-12
through,silent corridors of the build

Ing.
Between 1 and 2 o'clock last
night, the Sheriff and his attendants
tested the gallowE. Heavy bags of
sand were attached to the rope, and
the traps were sprung. The machine
worked to perfection, and in all re-
spects was satisfactory to the au-
thorities. Then unusual quiet pre-
vailed in Jail, the only noise in the
cell room was low voices of few
deputies turning keys in the locks
and the rapid ticking of the tele.
graph instrument. E.
SPIES TALKS.
In conversation with a deputy
or guard Spies said that he had no
reason to he afraid and then
launched torch in a TRADE against
the courts, He asserted that all
Jhdges who had any connection
with the case had a reason to tremblS
while Anarchists aeould hold up
their heads and walk TO death with
steady footsteps. The deputy also
related the manner in which Rev.
DR.. Bolton was received by Spies.
The divine asked him if he would
not accept spiritual consolation.
Spies with naughty shake of head
declared that he had no use for any
Clergymen.
"pll pray for you all night" cried
the doctor.
PRAY for yourself" returned
Spies. "You 1eed it more than l."
At II O'Clock Spies lay down on
his cot and closed his eyes but did
not sleep. Several times he got up
for a drink of water. But his every
movement betokened a frmness
which was astonishing. So it was
with the rest of the Anarchists.
Parsons had the nerve to entertain
his guard with song. His selec-
tion was annie Laurie" He sang
the sweet song entirely through,
and when he finished he rested his
head on his hands for few mo-
ments and then repeated the song.
THE GALLoWs.
They are the largest ever erected
in Cook county. They were origi-
nally built for the swinging off of
the three Italians who killed
follow countrymen and shipped his
remains in trunk to Pittsburg.
At the time mentqined the trap was
made to comfortably hold three men;
but to accommodate the Anarchists,
it has been enlarged to tho extent
Of two feet and a half in width. To
reach the scaffold those who are to
be executed,are escorted from theiail
office through tho lower corridor of
the cell room 10 the iron stairway
which leads to the second tier. This
is distance of ten feet from the
ground floor, and the platform of
tho galloWs is even with this tier.
The woodwork of the instrument of
destruction is painted or rather
stained very dull reddish brown,
and as seen by the dim light of the
gas jets, was anything but pleasant
to look upon. The weir effect was
heightened by a little sentry box,
which is located just back of the
trap. In this is stationed the man
who really is the executioneer. Into
this box extends the roap. At the
given signal, an unknown man in
side cuts the rope with a bIan new
and especially sharpened chizel of
wide dimensions by striking the
chizel a heavy blow with a mallet,
down goes the trap, a distance of 6
feet. and at the same time, the mur>
derers are launched into eternity.
PARSONS COMPLAINS OF BEING DIS
TURBED.
CHICAGO, Nov. 11.-Some time
after midnight Parsons complained
the hum of conversation in the
jailor's Office annoyed him and pre-
vented him from sleeping. The wood
en- door between the Office and the
cell room was closed, and the Texas
Anarchist dropped into an uneasy
slumber. In the office bnsy crowd
of reporters stood writing at a high
desk or lounged about, talking with
the deputies. Occasionally a heavy
step sounded on the iron stairs out
side, and the storm door was opened
revealing candidates for admission to
all the horrors provided for the pos
SCISSORS of passes. From within the
lawyers cage came the sharp metallic
click of the Associated Press instru-
ment dispatching the gathering incl
dents of the night. Along the 9TH
erwise silent corridors sounded the
slow, regular tramp of deputies COM
posing the death watch to and fro
ceaselessly in front Of the cell doors
behind which we're the four forfeited
lives. At brief intervals when the
hum of conversation sank low, could
be heard the measured tick Of the
clock on the wall, marking time for
the ones for whom time would soon
be no more. But on the streets armed
policemen paced their beats and all
who had no business in the naghbor-
hood were promptly ordered to move
on, and if they did not move at once
they were assisted. The jail proper
occupies the Illinois street front Of
the building, while the part used by
the Criminal Court fronts on Michi-
gan street. On the latter front is the
main entrance through which all who
enter must pass. This opening is
guarded by heavy double iron door
which is kept closed ald fastened by
a paddock and chains Immediately
within the door stand two trusty po-
licemen, armed with breech-loading
rifles and carrying SO rounds each in